Yale  Un 


Prize    F 


19! 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

AT   LOS  ANGELES 


YALE  UNIVERSITY  PRIZE  POEM 
1907 


YALE  UNIVERSITY  PRIZE  POEM 


1907 


ROLAND  AND  AUDE 


A  VERSE   PLAY   IN   FIVE   ACTS 


BY 


CHARLES  WASHBURN  NICHOLS 


BELCHERTOWN,  MASS. 

PRESS  OF  L.  H.  BLACKMER, 

1907 


PREFATORY  NOTE 

This  poem  received  the  tenth  award  of  the  prize 
offered  by  Professor  Albert  Stanburrough  Cook  to 
Yale  University  for  the  best  unpublished  verse,  the 
Committee  of  Award  being  Professor  Edward  B. 
Reed,  Professor  Charles  W.  Kent,  and  Dr.  John 
Erskine. 


CHARACTERS  IN  THE  PLAY 

KING  CHARLES  THE  GREAT. 

ROLAND,  his  Nephew. 

OLIVER,  Roland's  Friend. 

GANELON,  Roland's  Stepfather. 

BISHOP  TURPIN. 

DUKE  OF  NAYMES,  the  King's  Councilor. 

GERARD,  a  Young  Hunchback  Jongleur ',  a  Favorite  Minstrel  of 

the  King. 

MARSILE,  King  of  Spain. 
JURFALEU,  his  Son. 
BLANCANDRIN,  his  Messenger. 
VALDABRUN,  his  Knight. 
BRAMIMONDE,  his  Wife. 
BERTHA,  Roland's  Mother,  Sister  of  Charles. 
AUDE,  Oliver's  Sister. 
MARIE,  her  Chief  Maiden. 

PEERS,  BARONS,  HERALDS,  SOLDIERS,  PAYNIM  LORDS,  COURT 
LADIES,  MAIDENS,  AND  NUNS. 


SYNOPSIS  OF  SCENES 


ACT      I.     THE  BETROTHAL.     Garden  of  Chapel  at  Aix. 

ACT    II.     GANELON'S  MISSION.     Charles'  camp  at  Cor 
dova,  Spain. 

ACT  III.     GANELON'S  TREACHERY.     Marsile's  Court  at 
Saragossa. 

ACT  IV.     SCENE    i.     ROLAND'S    PRIDE.       The  Pass  at 

Roncevaux. 

SCENE  n.     THE  DEATH  OF  ROLAND.     A  part 
of  the  Battle-field. 

ACT     V.     THE  DEATH  OF  AUDE.      Aude's   Chamber   at 
Aix. 


AUTHOR'S  NOTE.— The  scenes  in  the  second,  third, 
and  fourth  acts,  follow  rather  closely  the  story  as  it  is  told  in 
the  CHANSON  DE  ROLAND. 


ROLAND  AND  AUDE 

ACT  I 

The  garden  of  the  king's  chapel  hard  by  the  palace  at  Aix. 
At  the  back,  seen  through  the  trees,  is  the  chapel  wall  with  a  large 
central  door,  from  which  a  flight  of  stone  steps  leads  into  the  gar 
den.  At  the  right ',  front :,  are  two  marble  benches  beneath  a  tree, 
at  the  left  a  fountain.  As  the  curtain  rises  GERARD  is  discovered 
on  one  of  the  benches,  singing  softly  to  the  accompaniment  of  his 
vielle  : 

A  sunbeam  lights  her  hazel  eyes, 

And  strays  across  her  gold-brown  hair  ; 

The  fairy  queen  of  Avalon 

Is  not  so  sweet  as  Aude  the  Fair. 

He  stops  abruptly  as  ROLAND  and  OLIVER  enter.     Oliver  is  rich 
ly  dressed  while  Roland  wears  a  hauberk  of  chain  mail. 

ROLAND. 

See  what  a  thing  it  is  to  be  a  minstrel  ! 
Canst  find  another  man  in  all  the  court 
That  is  not  arming  for  the  march  to  Spain  ? 
The  lowest  stable-hind  gets  him  a  sword 
Or  cast-off  helm,  and  bears  him  like  a  man. 
My  lady's  page  puts  on  a  warlike  frown, 


Struts  down  the  hall  to  gain  admiring  glances, 
And  boasts  of  twenty  paynims  he  will  kill. 
But  gay  Gerard  can  sit  and  tune  a  song  ! 

OLIVER. 

Each  man  must  have  his  trade.     We  cannot  all 
Be  fighters  ;  some  must  sing  the  deeds  we  do. 
What  were  the  joys  of  life  and  love  and  war, 
Without  the  minstrel's  song?  Is  it  not  so, 
Gerard  ? 

GERARD. 

Thanks,  gentle  Oliver.     Thy  words 
Reveal  thy  wisdom.     Truly  hast  thou  said 
We  cannot  all  be  fighters.     Neither  can 
We  all  be  wise  !  But  do  not  think  that  I 
Am  quite  unconscious  of  the  war,  Count  Roland. 
Tell  me,  what  is  a  paynim  like? 

ROLAND. 

Why,  boy, 

Don't  tell  us  that  you  never  saw  a  paynim  ! 
Methinks  sweet  France  has  cause  enough  to  know 
Their  manner  all  too  well.     A  paynim,  lad, 
Is  everything  a  Christian  knight  is  not : 
Black-bearded  creatures,  with  dark  gleaming  eyes, 
Cruel  in  war  but  cowardly  at  heart, 


Knowing  no  law  of  honor  or  religion. 

Ah,  what  a  thrill  of  joy  when  Durendal 

Tastes  blood  and  sings  a  mighty  battle-song. 

A  worthy  Christian  act  to  rid  the  world 

Of  vermin  such  as  they,  and  all  brave  knights 

Who  wade  knee-deep  in  reeking  paynim  blood, 

Good  Turpin  will  absolve  from  every  sin. 

GERARD. 
[  dreamily  ] 

I  seem  to  see  them  now  in  shining  mail, 
Two  mighty  armies  struggling  hand  to  hand  ; 
The  sunlight  flashes  on  the  bright  blue  blades, 
While  high  above  the  hungry  vultures  wheel, 
And  from  the  craggy  mountain  peaks  look  down 
Upon  the  feast  of  blood.     Ah,  what  a  sight ! 
Almost  I  would  that  I  could  go  with  you. 

OUVER. 

'Tis  not  a  life  for  thee,  Gerard.     Beyond 
The  snowy,  cloud-capped  Pyrenees  there'll  be 
Long  weary  months  of  marching  to  and  fro, 
Fights  in  the  open,  or  cooped  up  in  towns 
Whose  streets  swarm  with  the  hostile  paynim  brood. 

ROLAND. 
We'll  drive  them,  soon  enough,  before  our  arms, 


Back  to  the  utmost  bounds  of  Spain,  and  then 
Headlong  into  the  sea. 

OUVER. 

Roland ,  not  so  ; 

'T  will  be  no  easy  war  we  have  to  wage. 
Sweet  France  has  felt  the  iron  gauntlet  grip 
Of  King  Marsile  ere  now ;  no  man  can  say 
He  is  a  coward  in  the  fight.     But  oft 
He  wins  by  wiles  and  treacherous  deceit. 

ROLAND. 
No  fear  have  I  of  paynim  King  Marsile. 

[  GANEI<ON  has  entered  «nobserz>ed,  and  over/tears  Roland's  remark.  ] 

GANEI.ON. 

Well  said,  my  gallant  game-cock.     Still,  I  see, 
My  famous  stepson  longs  for  fair  renown. 
So  eager  is  he  for  the  paynim  blood 
That  all  in  armor  he  awaits  his  bride. 

ROI.AND  [  with  a  start.  ] 
O  Oliver,  I  quite  forgot. 

8 


OLIVER. 

I  know ; 

I  was  about  to  tell  thee,  but  our  talk 
Quite  put  it  from  my  mind.     My  brother  knight, 
When  once  thou  art  betrothed  to  Aude  the  Fair, 
My  brother  thou  wilt  be  indeed.     So  come, 
There  still  is  time  to  doff  that  suit  of  mail. 

GANELON.  [  with  a  sneer.  ] 

There  is  no  need  to  change.     The  Lady  Aude 
Will  pardon  such  an  eager  lover,  who, 
All  clad  in  mail  on  his  betrothal  morn, 
Is  burning  with  desire  —  to  meet  Marsile. 

ROLAND. 

If  thou  wert  not  my  stepsire,  Durendal 
Would  make  thee  eat  those  words. 

OLIVER. 

Come,  Roland,  come. 

GANELON. 

And  were  I  not  thy  stepsire,  I  would  give 
That  haughty  pride  of  thine  a  chance  to  cool, 
And  give  the  rest  of  us  a  chance  to  shine. 


OLIVER. 

[  Drawing  Roland  away  ] 
Come,  brother,  Aude  the  Fair  must  not  wait  long. 

[  They  go  out,  Canelon  chuckling  to  himself  ] 

ROLAND.  [  angrily  ] 
Thou  shalt  be  sorry  for  thy  mirth  ere  long. 

[  GERARD,  left  alone,  resumes  his  practising  on  the  vielle  and 
hums  softly  to  himself} 

She  is  the  fairest  flower  that  grows, 
My  lovely  lady,  Aude  the  Fair. 

[  He  breaks  off  singing  but  continues  playing  as  BERTHA  and 
AUDE  enter.     Aude  runs  up  to  Gerard  ] 

AUDE. 

Gerard  !  You're  making  a  new  song  !  Now  don't 
Deny  it,  for  I  heard  you.     You  must  sing 
For  L,ady  Bertha. 

GERARD. 

Till  the  song  is  done 
I  cannot  sing ;  not  Lady  Aude  herself 
Could  drag  it  from  me.     Thou  shalt  hear  ere  long. 


10 


AUDE. 

I  want  to  hear  it  now.     You  know,  Gerard, 
This  is  the  happiest  morning  of  my  life. 
You  would  not  disappoint  me  ? 

GERARD.  [  smiling  ] 

Wait  and  see. 

AUDB  [  to  Bertha  ] 

Gerard  will  always  have  his  way.     But  thou, 
Dear  L,ady  Bertha,  thou  wilt  grant  a  wish 
Of  mine  ?  Oh,  such  a  little  wish  ! 

BERTHA. 

I  will  ; 

Ask  anything,  and  if  the  power  is  mine 
To  give  it  thee,  it  shall  be  thine. 

AUDE  [  timidly  ] 

I  wish 
To  call  thee  by  the  name  — 

[  She  hesitates  ] 

BERTHA.  [  encouragingly  ] 

Yes,  child. 


11 


AUDE. 

The  name 
Of  mother. 

BERTHA. 
[  drawing  her  close  ] 

Why,  my  little  girl,  I  long 

To  have  thee  call  me  mother.     Know'st  thou  not 
I  never  had  a  daughter  ?  Thou  shalt  be 
My  only  girl.     I  love  thee,  Atide. 

AUDE. 

I  have 

No  mother  and  I  long  for  one  to-day  ; 
I  fear  the  great  betrothal  all  alone. 

BERTHA. 

Beside  me  thou  shalt  stand,  so  have  no  fear, 
And  soon  my  Roland  shall  be  thine  alone. 

AUDE. 

Ah,  long  will  be  the  days  when  he  is  gone  ! 
Tell  me,  dear  mother,  of  that  happy  time 
When  Roland  was  a  boy  in  Italy. 


12 


BERTHA. 

That  was  a  happy  time  indeed  !  L,ong  years 

Have  passed  since  those  bright,  far-off,  golden  days 

When  I,  a  headstrong  maid,  learned  what  love  means, 

And  fled  with  Count  Milon  from  sunny  Aix. 

My  brother,  great  King  Charles,  had  formed  a  plan 

To  wed  me  to  his  warrior  Ganelon  ; 

But  I  had  seen  the  brave  Milon,  and  knew 

That  he,  and  he  alone,  could  give  me  joy. 

Noble  he  was,  a  fearless  foe  in  war, 

But  gentle,  full  of  love,  to  all  his  friends  ; 

And  in  his  veins  the  blood  of  heroes  flowed, 

Those  northern  vikings  of  the  stormy  seas, 

Who  fought  and  loved  with  the  same  reckless  might, 

And  nothing  feared  saved  cowardly  deceit. 

Angry  was  Charges  when  we  two  slipped  away, 

In  secret  wedded  by  the  good  archbishop, 

And  safely  passed  the  bounds  of  Italy. 

AUDE. 
I  would  that  such  a  life  might  be  for  me  ! 

BERTHA. 

Dear  child,  thou  little  knowest  what  it  means  ! 
Thou  canst  not  picture  all  the  life  we  led  ; 
Pursued  by  wrath  of  Charles  we  journeyed  far, 
On  foot  and  clothed  in  rags  like  beggars  twain 


13 


Who  limp  from  town  to  town  to  beg  their  food. 

Sheltered  in  huts  and  caves  we  lived  along, 

And  Roland  came  to  make  the  burden  light, 

And  love  revealed  the  heights  to  which  we  climb 

If  we  cast  all  aside  to  follow  her. 

What  were  the  hardships  of  our  humble  days 

If  only  love  could  last  and  bless  us  both  ! 

It  could  not  be,  for  paynims  threatened  Rome, 

And  Count  Milon  went  riding  to  the  war, 

To  find  an  end  to  all  his  toil  and  pain. 

Then  came  my  brother  into  Italy 

When  Roland  was  a  lad.     Without  his  aid, 

What  knightly  training  could  I  give  my  son  ? 

We  went  before  the  king,  and  he,  because 

The  little  lad  found  favor  in  his  sight, 

Forgave,  on  one  condition,  all  my  sin. 

AUDK. 
And  that  ? 

BERTH  A. 
I  should  be  wed  to  Ganelon. 

AUDB. 
Ah,  mother  ! 


14 


BERTHA. 
[  after  a  pause  ] 

More  I  need  not  tell ;  thou  know'st 
How  Roland  has  fulfilled  his  youthful  dreams, 
And  keeps  the  vows  which  every  good  knight  keeps. 

AUDE. 

Ah,  more  than  that  he  does — outshines  them  all ! 

No  arm  like  his  to  wield  a  Durendal, 

And  make  his  name  a  terror  to  the  foe. 

Victorious  in  Spain  our  cause  shall  be, 

And  nobly  will  he  battle  for  the  right  ; 

But,  ah,  I  shall  be  fearful  till  he  comes, 

Crowned  with  bright  fame,  to  claim  me  for  his  bride. 

GERARD.  [  -who  has  been  softly  playing  on 
his  vielle,  now  starting  up  and  coming  to  the  side  of  Aude  ] 

My  Lady  Aude,  I'll  go  to  Spain  with  him, 
Watch  by  his  side,  and  bring  him  safely  home. 

BERTHA. 

Gerard  !  What  could 'st  thou  do  ?  Thou  dost  not  know 
The  life  that  would  be  thine  !  We  need  thee  here; 
We  cannot  let  him  leave  us,  can  we,  Aude? 


15 


AUDE. 

Not  we  !  Think  of  the  dreary'  hours,  Gerard, 

That  we  poor  women  must  pass  through  alone, 

When  all  our  knights  are  gone.     Thou  must  stay  here 

And  sing  us  cheery  songs,  bright  roundelays, 

And  tales  of  happy  lovers  long  ago, 

To  make  us  smile,  and  for  a  time  forget 

The  anxious  longing.     Nay,  thou  canst  not  go  ! 

GERARD. 

Thou  would 'st  not  be  so  cruel,  lady  mine  ! 
For  all  my  life  I've  lived  within  those  walls, 
Since  I  was  brought  to  Aix,  a  captive  child 
Too  young  to  have  remembrance  of  the  time 
Before  I  came.     No  mother  have  I  known, 
Dear  lady  ;  oftentimes  the  boys  would  laugh 
And  call  me  names  ;  no  refuge  had  I  then, 
No  place  of  comfort,  but  the  chapel  yonder. 
Many  a  time  I've  cried  myself  to  sleep 
Within  the  organ  loft.     These  later  years 
Have  been  more  happy,  for  the  king  is  kind. 
But  I  would  see  beyond  the  Pyrenees, 
And  hear  the  clash  of  battle,  sword  on  shield, 
And  be  a  man,  a  singer  of  brave  deeds  ! 
Thou'lt  not  refuse  to  ask  the  king  this  boon 
For  me  ? 

[  GANEI.ON  is  seen  approaching  ] 
16 


AUDE.  [smiling] 

If  them  wilt  bring  my  Roland  home 
Untouched  by  paynim  spear,  I'll  ask  the  boon. 

GERARD. 

I'll  never  leave  his  side.     No  paynim  spear 
Shall  reach  him  unawares  ;  my  hero  knight ! 

GANELON.  [  aside  ] 

How  they  all  love  the  arrogant  young  fool ! 
[  To  Bertha  and  Aude  ] 

Conie,  come  my  laggard  ladies,  know  you 'not 
That  Charles  and  Turpin  wait.     Strange  bridal  pair  ! 
Here  Roland  donned  his  armor  for  the  fray 
As  if  for  war ;  would 'st  thou  forget  as  well  ? 

AUDE. 
Thou  wilt  be  with  me,  mother  ? 

BERTHA. 

Yes,  my  child. 

[  They  go  out.     Gerard  resumes  his  playing  on  the  marble 
bench,  and  practises  another  stanza  of  his  song~\ 


17 


O  gypsy  wind,  in  love  caress 

The  shining  halo  of  her  hair  ; 
The  spirit  of  all  loveliness 

Has  crowned  her  queen,  my  Aude  the  Fair. 

GERARD. 

I  could  not  make  a  song  that  would  be  worthy 
To  sing  to  Lady  Aude.     Such  as  it  is, 
'Tis  done — the  best  that  I  can  do.     How  can 
I  go  and  leave  her  here  ?  She's  kind  to  me. 
More  kind  I  never  knew  nor  ever  shall. 

[  He  rises  and  goes  toward  the  chapel  steps.      The  bishop's 
voice  is  heard  intoning ',  and  he  climbs  the  steps  ] 

The  bishop's  voice  !  The  service  will  be  done. 
I  wish  that  I  could  see  them  ;  a  brave  pair 
They  are  to  stand  together. 

[  The  sound  of  the  organ  is  heard  within.  GERARD  runs  dou>n 
the  steps  and  stands  beside  one  of  the  trees  ] 

Lo,  the  king  ! 

t  The  great  doors  are  suddenly  throu-n  open,  and  the  pro 
cession  comes  down  the  stone  steps.  CHARLES  and  TURPIN  in 
advance,  then  ROLAND  and  AUDE,  GANELON  and  BERTHA, 
OLIVER  and  NAYMES,  the  other  peers  and  their  ladies.  They 
scatter  and  converse  with  each  other  ] 


18 


CHARGES. 
[  To  Roland  and  Aude.  ] 

Ah,  happy  pair  !  My  blessings  on  you  both  ! 

My  nephew,  thou  art  doubly  fortunate  : 

Thou  art  a  brother  now  to  Oliver, 

And  thou  hast  won  the  sweetest  bride  in  France. 

And  thou,  fair  Aude,  art  lady  to  a  knight 

Whose  worth  and  courage  brightens  all  my  realm. 

I  hold  myself  most  fortunate  to  call 

The  I,ady  Aude  my  niece.     To-day  rejoice  ; 

Forget  the  path  that  waits  us  with  the  dawn  ; 

To-day  we  will  be  happy,  free  from  care. 

GERARD. 
A  boon,  O  king  ! 

CHARGES. 

'Tis  granted,  gay  Gerard  ; 
Thou  hast  a  wedding  song,  no  doubt,  to  sing. 
Tune  the  vielle  ;  we'll  hear  it  at  the  feast. 

GERARD. 

It  is  not  that,  my  king.     I  long  to  go 
With  thee  and  Roland  into  Spain,  to  see 
The  battle's  shock  and  sing  of  warlike  deeds. 


19 


CHARLES. 

A  minstrel  in  the  war  ? 

[  Aude  whispers  to  him  ] 

My  Lady  Aude, 

I  cannot  well  refuse  thy  first  request. 
Come  hither,  minstrel.     Know'st  thou  not  that  all 
My  trusted  men  are  knights  ?  How  canst  thou  then 
Be  our  companion  on  the  march,  and  not 
Be  made  a  knight  ? 

[  He  takes  the  bow  of  Gerard's  vielle  ] 

This  is  the  weapon  thou 

Shalt  wield  in  Spain.     Kneel  down,  Gerard  ;  with  this 
Thy  sword,  I  dub  thee  knight  of  minstrelsy. 

[  He  touches  Gerard  across  the  shoulder  with  the  bou<  of  the 
vielle,  and  then  puts  a  gold  chain  about  his  neck  ] 

And  here  receive  the  gift  of  Charles  the  king. 
Rise,  Sir  Gerard,  and  bear  thee  as  a  knight, 
And  sing  of  war  and  victories  in  Spain. 
To-morrow's  dawn  will  find  us  on  the  road. 

[  Gerard  is  left  speechless,  while  the  king  turns  to  the  others  ] 

And  now,  good  bishop,  let  us  to  the  palace; 

A  goodly  feast  is  toward.     Come  Naymes,  my  duke, 


20 


And  all  the  rest ;  prepare  ye  for  the  banquet. 

[  They  all  go  out  slowly,  leaving  Gerard  in  the  same  spot,   and 
Roland  and  Aude  upon  the  marble  bench  whither  they  had  gone  ] 

AUDE.  [  timidly  ] 

Oft  have  I  heard  in  old  romances  sung 
By  wandering  jongleurs,  how  noble  ladies 
Have  belted  on  their  lovers'  swords  before 
They  went  to  war.     May  I  do  this  for  thee, 
My  lord  ? 

ROLAND.  [  smiling  ] 
You  may,  my  Aude. 
[  He  looks  around  and  sees  Gerard  ] 

Come  here,  Gerard. 

The  lady  Aude  would  have  thee  seek  my  sword . 
It  lies  within  the  palace  ;  thither  run, 
And  bring  it  here  to  me. 

[  Gerard  runs  out.     Roland  turns  to  Aude  ] 

Dear  L,ady  Aude, 

Be  not  cast  down  because  I  go  to  Spain  ; 
The  war  will  not  be  long.     Once  we  have  driven 
The  cowardly  paynims  back  unto  the  sea, 
And  made  them  taste  submission,  we'll  return 


21 


With  songs  of  conquest  to  our  own  fair  France. 
No  need  hast  thou  for  fear  ;  I  shall  be  safe. 
Think  how  my  Durendal  shall  havoc  make, 
And  bring  sweet  France  to  honor  once  again. 

[  GERARD'S  voice  is  heard  behind  the  trees,  coming  nearer  and 
nearer,  singing.     They  stop  to  listen  ] 

Steal  softly  down  the  garden  path, 

Thou  gentle  zephyr  of  the  May, 
For  there  thou'lt  find  a  fairer  flower 

Than  ever  blessed  thy  wand'ring  way  ; 
A  sunbeam  lights  her  hazel  eyes, 

And  strays  across  her  gold-brown  hair  ; 
The  fairy  queen  of  Avalon 

Is  not  so  sweet  as  Aude  the  Fair. 

The  curving  of  the  lily's  throat 

Can  never  match  my  lady's  face  ; 
There's  not  a  deer  that  roams  the  wood 

Can  equal  her  in  winsome  grace. 
The  blushing  of  the  reddest  rose 

Could  never  with  her  lips  compare, 
She  is  the  fairest  flower  that  grows, 

My  lovely  lady,  Aude  the  Fair. 

Oh,  sing,  melodious  nightingale, 

I  cannot  match  my  song  with  thine  ; 
Thy  notes  alone  have  power  to  tell 

The  secrets  I  would  sing  in  mine. 
O  gypsy  wind,  in  love  caress 

The  shining  halo  of  her  hair  ; 
The  spirit  of  all  loveliness 

Has  crowned  her  queen,  my  Aude  the  Fair. 


22 


[  At  the  last  lines  Gerard  has  entered  with  the  sword.    Roland 
takes  it  and  gives  it  to  Aude  ] 

AUDE. 

Thank  you,  Gerard.     I'll  not  forget  that  song. 

[  She  turns  to  belt  the  sword  about  Roland,  who  has  thrown 
back  his  mantle  and  is  seen  still  in  armor.  Gerard,  forgotten, 
turns  away  and  disappears  among  the  trees.  AUDB  kisses  the 
sword  and  buckles  it  on  ] 

Great  Durendal  !  I  kiss  thy  mystic  runes, 
And  pray  that  never  in  the  hottest  fight 
Thou  wilt  betray  thy  lord — thy  lord  and  mine  ! 
Ah,  Roland,  I  am  envious  of  your  sword  ; 
For  well  I  know  the  love  you  bear  for  it, 
And  how  you  long  to  wield  it  in  the  fray. 
Close  by  your  side  it  goes,  while  I  remain 
To  mourn  the  passing  months  in  dreary  Aix. 
Go,  wield  it  well,  and  win  you  fair  renown, 
But  O  my  Roland,  when  the  strife  is  o'er, 
Come  quickly,  quickly  back  to   Aix  and  me. 

[  She  clasps  him  about  the  neck  as  the  curtain  falls  ] 


23 


ACT  II 

Charles1  camp  at  Cordova,  Spain,  a  year  later.  A  tempo 
rary  throne  is  discovered  beneath  a  tree  as  the  curtain  rises, 
and  Gerard  is  seen  in  the  midst  of  a  group  of  soldiers  who  are 
engaged  in  polishing  their  armor. 

A  SOLDIER. 
Sing  us  a  song,  Gerard. 

ANOTHER  SOLDIER. 

Up  with  thee,  lad  ; 
'Twill  make  the  work  seem  light. 

VOICES. 

Aye,  aye,  Gerard  ! 
[  GERARD  climbs  upon  the  throne  and  sings  ] 

I  sing  the  song  of  the  soldier's  life, 
The  song  of  war  and  the  battle's  strife, 

The  clashing  of  the  spears  ; 
The  thrill  of  the  wild,  exultant  ride 
On  bounding  chargers,  side  by  side, 

The  war- shout  in  our  ears. 


24 


I  sing  the  song  of  the  red  camp-fire, 
The  leaping  flames  that  never  tire 

In  keeping  back  the  night ; 
Then  tumble  up  and  clatter  away, 
When  the  trumpet  calls  at  the  break  of  day, 

And  sends  us  to  the  fight. 

We  follow  the  road  in  sun  or  rain, 
Over  the  mountains  into  Spain. 

Dost  hear  our  sabres  ring  ? 
Here's  death  to  the  foe,  and  woe  betide 
The  paynim  country  where  we  ride 

To  serve  our  lord  the  king. 

[  As  the  song  is  over,  amidst  applause,  a  trumpet  is  heard, 
and  the  king  enters,  attended  by  heralds,  TURPIN,  and 
NAYMES.  The  soldiers  go  out.  CHARLES  takes  his  seat  on 
the  throne  which  GERARD  has  vacated  ] 

CHARLES. 

Come  hither,  lad.     How  likest  thou  the  war  ? 
Methinks  thy  spirits  do  not  flag,  at  least. 


GERARD. 
Nay,  sire  ;  I  love  the  joy  of  such  a  life. 

CHARLES. 
Dost  never  tire  and  long  to  be  in  France  ? 

25 


GERARD. 

Sometimes  I  would  give  anything  to  be 
Within  the  garden- walls  at  sunny  Aix, 
Singing  pangs  for  Aude  the  Fair.     But  then  I  see 
The  walls  of  Cordova  come  crashing  down 
Before  our  mangonels,  and  all  the  paynims 
Fleeing  before  our  arms,  and  hear  the  song 
Of  victory  go  rolling  up  to  heaven, 
And  then  I  feel  great  joy  that  I  am  here. 

CHARLES. 

Brave  lad !  Does  he  not  teach  us  all  a  lesson, 
Good  Turpin  ? 

TURPIN. 

Yea,  I  would  that  there  were  more 
With  such  untiring  hearts,  but  few  there  are 
Who  would  not  leave  Marsile  in  Saragossa, 
And  hie  them  back  to  bask  in  sunny  France. 
Tell  us,  Gerard,  shall  we  not  take  Marsile 
In  triumph  back  to  Aix  ? 

GERARD. 

Aye,  that  we  must. 

Ah,  what  a  time  there'll  be  !  I  long  to  see 
The  great  procession  winding  into  Aix, 
And  hear  the  church  bells  ring  above  the  roar 


26 


Of  shouting,  banner- waving  crowds,     That  day 
Will  be  reward  enough  for  all  our  toil. 

[  A  trumpet  is  heard.     A  herald  of  the  king  enters  ] 

HERAUX 
Ambassadors  from  King  Marsile,  O  king. 

CHARLES. 
We  will  receive  them  here. 

[  The  herald  goes  out.     There  is  a  stir  in  the  group  about 
the  king  ] 

Stay,  gentle  duke, 

!And  thou,  good  Turpin.     Stay  and  hear  the  word 
They  bring.     Perchance  they  weary  of  the  war ; 
And  then,  Gerard,  thy  wish  will  be  fulfilled. 

[  BI.ANCANDRIN  enters  with  other  paynim  lords.     He   ad 
vances  before  the  throne  ,  and  bends  the  knee'] 

Bl,ANCANDRIN. 

Great  king,  I  bring  thee  greetings  from  Marsile. 
Blancandrin  am  I  called,  and  hold  the  power 
To  treat  with  thee  concerning  peace.    For  much 
Our  valiant  king  doth  long  to  end  the  war. 

27 


Full  long  enough  thou  hast  laid  waste  the  land, 

And  rendered  all  of  Spain  save  Saragossa 

Depopulate.     Return,  O  king,  to  France  ; 

Marsile  will  come  himself  to  far-off  Aix, 

And  be  baptized,  and  swear  his  fealty. 

From  thee  he'll  hold  the  march  of  Spain  ;  where  once 

He  was  the  king,  he  will  become  the  lord. 

Rich  gifts  I  bring  in  token  of  surrender 

For  thee  to  carry  back  to  France,  where  they 

Shall  richly  shine,  the  wonder  of  all  men. 

CHARLES. 

Thy  words  are  well.     But  King  Marsile  is  proud, 

And  I  know  not  if  he  will  be  my  vassal. 

What  pledges  canst  thou  give  that  this  shall  be  ? 

BLANCANDRIN. 

Thou  shalt  have  hostages  of  no  mean  birth  — 
My  son  shall  be  among  them.     Other  lords 
Shall  send  their  sons.     Thou  shalt  be  satisfied. 

CHARLES. 

Thou  speakest  well.     Before  my  councilors 

I'll  put  thy  message.     Good  cheer  shalt  thou  have 

Before  thou  goest  hence. 


28 


[  To  a  herald] 

Go  lead  these  men 

To  worthy  lodgings.     Spare  no  pains  to  make 
Their  waiting  easy. 

BLANCANDRIN. 

King,  we  give  thee  thanks. 

[  As  they  go  out,  Charles  turns  to  another  herald  ] 

CHARGES. 
Go,  herald,  summon  all  my  knights  and  peers. 

[  The  herald  goes  out,  and  trumpet-calls  are  heard  immediately  ] 

Thy  counsel,  Naymes,  just  as  of  old,  I'll  need  ; 
Stay  thou  at  my  right  hand. 

[  ROLAND  enters,  followed  by  OLIVER  and  other  peers  ] 

Ah,  nephew  Roland, 

First  at  the  council  just  as  first  in  battle  ? 
Come  near  and  stand  beside  me. 

[  GANELON  enters,  and  overhearing  this,  scowls  ] 

Ganelon, 
We  trust  to  thy  advice,  so  fail  us  not. 

29 


[  Peers,  barons,  and  knights  croivd  in.     An  open  place  is  left 
before  the  throne  ] 

Approach,  my  peers,  and  all  my  barons  brave  ; 

Marsile  hath  sent  me  gifts,  and  promises 

If  we  return  to  Aix  he'll  follow  us 

And  be  baptized,  and  swears  that  he  will  hold 

This  land  of  Spain  in  bonds  of  fealty. 

What  think  ye  of  the  plan  ? 

ROLAND. 
[  Springing  forward] 

It  is  not  good  ! 

We  cannot  put  our  trust  in  King  Marsile. 
Think  ye  to  put  your  faith  in  treachery  ? 
For  every  paynim  is  deceitful,  nor 
Will  e'er  be  changed  and  willingly  baptized. 
We  have  won  all  the  land  save  Saragossa  — 
Shall  we  not  win  that  too  ?  Then  let  us  on, 
Nor  trust  in  King  Marsile,  but  lay  the  siege 
Before  his  very  walls,  and  not  give  o'er 
Till  Saragossa's  towers  fall  to  the  ground  ! 

[  A  silence.     Charles  pulls  at  his  beard,  and  does  not  answer. 
Ganelon  conies  slowly  forward  ] 

GANKIXJN. 

Mere  words  of  braggery  !  It  is  not  meet 
That  wise  men  hearken  to  a  reckless  fool. 


30 


Nay,  Roland,  did  I  mention  thee?  I  say, 

O  king,  that  he  who  longs  to  climb  the  towers 

Of  mighty  Saragossa  is  too  proud. 

The  words  of  King  Marsile  are  surely  true. 

Wherefore  should  we  court  death  in  needless  ways  ? 

CHARGES. 
What  dost  thou  counsel,  Naymes  ? 

NAYMES. 

The  wisest  words 

Are  those  of  Ganelon.     We  have  subdued 
The  paynim  king,  and  wasted  all  his  land  ; 
We  needs  must  hearken  to  his  message  now. 
For  know,  O  peers,  and  you,  Count  Roland,  that 
He  offers  hostages,  the  sons  of  lords 
Whom  he  holds  dearest.     L,et  us  end  the  war. 

A  PEER. 
Aye,  let  us  end  the  war. 

VOICES. 
His  words  are  wise. 

CHARGES. 
You  counsel  well.     'Tis  best  to  end  the  war. 


31 


Now  must  I  send  some  warrior  to  Marsile, 
To  make  the  terms  and  take  his  hostages. 

ROLAND.  [  impetuously  ] 
Sire,  let  me  go  ! 

OLIVER.  [  restraining  him  ] 

Nay,  Roland,  thou  shalt  not. 

Thou  would'st  provoke  the  king,  and  lose  thy  life. 
I  will  be  messenger  for  thee,  my  sire. 

CHARLES. 
Nay,  neither  of  you  shall  go,  nor  any  peer. 

NAYMBS. 

If  thou  wilt  give  me  leave,  O  sire,  to  go, 
I'll  carry  thy  commands  to  King  Marsile. 

CHARLES. 
Not  thou,  duke  Naymes.     I  need  thy  counsel  here. 

TURPIN. 
Give  me  the  task,  King  Charles. 

CHARLES. 

Nay,  that  were  ill 


32 


To  send  thee,  Turpin,  to  the  pay  mm  court. 
Some  baron  must  ye  choose. 

ROLAND. 

I  pray,  O  king, 
That  thou  send  Ganelon. 

VOICES. 
Aye,  Ganelon  ! 

CHARLES. 

The  choice  is  good.     Come  hither,  Ganelon. 
GANBLON.  [  unth  wrath  ] 

Roland,  I  never  shall  forget  this  day  ! 
Thou  thoughtest  to  be  rid  of  thy  stepsire  ; 
And  since  the  king  commands  I  needs  must  go. 
But  everlasting  hatred  here  I  swear 
To  thee  and  all  who  hold  thee  dear. 

CHARLES. 

Thy  wrath, 

Count  Ganelon,  availeth  naught,  for  thou 
Must  surely  go. 

GANELON. 
Yea,  that  I  know  full  well. 

33 


I  needs  must  go,  nor  ever  shall  return. 
Guard  well  my  son,  thy  nephew  ;  all  my  lands 
I  leave  to  him,  when  he  becomes  a  man. 
Never  again  shall  I  behold  him  here. 

CHARLKS. 

Be  not  so  fearful,  count.     Here  is  my  glove  ; 
Take  it,  and  bear  our  words  to  King  Marsile. 

GANELON. 
[  Taking  it,  and  turning  to  Roland  ] 

Obey  I  must ;  but  should  I  come  again, 
Thou  fool,  I  shall  revenge  myself  on  thee. 

ROLAND. 

I  fear  no  idle  threats.     If  thou'rt  afraid 
To  bear  the  message,  give  it  unto  me. 

GANKLON. 
Nay,  go  I  shall  ;  beware  what  I  shall  do. 

[  Roland  laughs  and  shrugs  his  shoulders  ] 

GANKLON. 

[  In  a  rage  against  Roland  ] 
Thou  mock'st  me,  dost  thou  ?  Fool,  thou  little  know'st 


34 


What  woe  is  yet  in  store  for  thee  !  Thou  shalt 

Repent  thee  bitterly  of  thy  misdeed. 

Thou  mock'st  me  ?  God  !  That  it  should  come  to  this  ! 

For  all  that  thou  hast  done  to  me  this  day 

I  swear  thou  shalt  repay  a  thousand  fold. 

Thy  blood  shall  be  the  price  of  this  day's  sin. 

Curses  upon  thy  head  !  Nay,  stay  me  not ; 

I  hate  you  all !  Revenge  !  I'll  have  revenge  ! 

Curtain. 


35 


ACT  III 

A  large  room  in  Marsile's  court  at  Saragassa.  Two  thrones 
beneath  a  canopy.  At  the  back,  windows  on  a  balcony  over 
looking  the  street.  As  the  curtain  rises,  MARSILE  and  BRAM- 
IMONDK  are  discovered  upon  the  thrones,  surrounded  by  their 
court,  including  JURFALBU,  their  son,  VAX.DABRUN,  and  other 
paynim  lords. 

MARSILE. 

Blancandrin  should  be  here  erenow.     I  wait, 
In  anxious  hope,  the  outcome  of  our  plot. 

VALDABRUN. 
A  cunning  plan  it  was,  sire,  all  agree. 

MARSILK. 

It  was  not  badly  done,  but  much  I  doubt 
That  Charles  of  France  will  do  as  I  suggest. 
Perchance  he  trusteth  not  our  promises. 

JURFALKU. 

And  well  he  may  not !  Should  we  yield  our  faith, 

And  go  to  France  and  be  baptized  ?  Not  we. 

Too  much  we  love  our  Spain  and  hate  the  Christians. 

MARSILK. 
Aye,  prince,  this  sunny  Spain  of  ours  must  not 


36 


Be  subject  unto  Christian  France.     But  we 
Are  in  sore  straits  ;  our  very  life  depends 
Upon  the  answer  of  King  Charles. 

L  A  horn  is  heard  without  ] 

'Tis  come ! 
Quick,  Valdabrun,  see  who  are  there  without. 

[  Valdabrun  goes  to  the  windows  in  the  back,  and  looks  out  ] 

VALDABRUN. 

Blancandrin  and  a  bearded  Christian  knight 
Are  just  alighting  at  the  gate. 

MARSIIvB. 

Mahound, 
Grant  us  the  answer  we  desire  ! 

[  A  herald  enters  ] 

HERALD. 

O  king, 
Blancandrin  has  returned. 

MARSILB. 

Bid  him  attend 
Us  here  at  once.     Be  quick  ! 

[  The  herald  hurries  out  ] 


37 


**PT.-4*  o^y 
oi3lo  f 


Now  shall  we  know 

Whether  we  live  or  die.     Come  hither,  son  ; 
Stay  quietly  at  my  right  hand,  nor  make 
One  sign  to  bring  suspicion  on  our  cause. 

[  BLANCANDRIN  and  GANBIXW  enter  ] 
BLANCANDRIN. 

Thy  will,  O  sire,  has  been  fulfilled.     King  Charles 
Received  thy  message,  but  he  did  not  deign 
To  give  his  answer.     Ganelon  he  sends, 
A  noble  baron,  who  will  make  reply. 

MA  RSI  I.E. 

Thou  hast  done  well.     And  now,  baron  of  France, 
We  wait  to  hear  thy  word. 

GANRI.ON. 

Greeting,  O  king, 

From  Charles,  my  sovran,  in  the  name  of  God. 
This  is  the  answer  that  I  bring  to  thee  : 
If  thou  wilt  go  to  Aix  and  be  baptized, 
One  half  of  Spain  is  thine  to  hold  in  fief. 
The  other  half  will  be  the  fief  of  Roland- 
No  prouder  man  than  he  in  all  the  world. 
I  give  thee  joy  in  such  a  mighty  neighbor  ! 
If  thou  refuse,  he  will  lay  waste  thy  towers, 
And  take  thee  bound  to  Aix  to  die  in  shame. 


38 


[  Marsile  rises  in  wrath ,  and  is  about  to  hurl  his  javelin  at 
Ganelon,  who  draws  his  sword  ] 

MARSILE. 
How  didst  thou  dare  to  say  this  unto  rne  ! 

BRAMIMONDE. 
[  Rising  and  putting  her  hand  upon  Marsile 's  arm  ] 

My  lord,  act  not  so  rashly.     Let  him  speak. 
He  is  a  noble  Frank.     Thou  shouldst  give  ear 
Unto  his  words  if  thou  wouldst  keep  thy  life. 

GANKIX>N. 

[  Holding  up  his  sword  ] 

My  bonny  blade,  right  dearly  shall  they  win 
My  death,  while  thou  art  strong  and  true  to  me. 
Thou  canst  not  keep  me  from  my  speech,  O  king. 

BRAMIMONDE. 
My  lord,  let  me  prevail.     Be  thou  not  wroth. 

MARSII.E. 
[  seating  himself  ] 

Forgive  me,  Ganelon,  I  was  too  quick. 

Thy  message  caused  me  grief,  for  much  I  hoped 

To  keep  the  whole  of  Spain.     Right  well  I  know 


39 


That  anger  will  not  profit  me  in  this. 

Tell  me  of  Charles.     Hath  he  not  now  great  age  ? 

Long  years  he  has  waged  war  in  many  lands, 

And  many  kings  swept  down  from  off  their  thrones. 

Is  he  not  old  ?  Will  he  not  ever  cease  ? 

GANBI.ON. 

King  Charles  is  not  so  old,  and  if  he  were, 
The  greatness  of  his  spirit  would  suffice 
To  keep  him  foremost  among  valiant  men. 
No  minstrel  am  I,  nor  have  I  the  words 
With  which  to  give  him  honor  worth  his  fame. 
Wisdom  and  bounty  both  are  his,  and  power  ; 
But  while  his  nephew  Roland  wins  his  praise 
Ceaseless  will  be  the  conquests,  for  I  know 
No  man  more  fearless,  nor  so  proud  of  heart. 
He  and  his  peers  are  mighty,  and  King  Charles 
Puts  all  his  trust  in  them. 


MARSILE. 

Perchance  I  may, 

By  going  into  battle  with  my  lords, 
Bring  Roland  to  his  death.     My  knights  are  brave, 
Nor  fear  they  any  foe.     With  Roland  dead 
I  could  hold  Spain,  and  hold  it  all  alone. 


40 


Be  not  so  foolish  ;  thou  would 'st  surely  fail. 
But  send  thy  hostages  to  France  with  me, 
And  then  — 

[  He  pauses  ] 

MARSILE. 
Thou  hast  no  liking  for  this  count  ? 

GANBIX>N. 

I  hate  him  as  I  love  my  only  son. 

If  he  were  gone,  my  son  would  have  more  favor, 

And  I  should  not  be  made  a  thing  of  scorn. 

MARSII<E. 

Of  wealth  undreamed  of  I  have  countless  store  ; 
Much  would  I  give  to  him  who  showed  me  how 
To  rid  the  world  of  this  proud  man  of  war. 

GANBI,ON. 
The  task  would  not  be  hard. 

MARSII.E. 

Wilt  undertake 
To  give  me  this  advice  ? 

41 


GANBLON. 
[  After  a  pause  ] 

Yea,  that  I  will. 

I  care  not  what  may  happen,  only  this 
I  know,  I'll  win  the  vengeance  promised  him. 

MARSILB. 
How  may  I  bring  this  upstart  to  his  death  ? 

GANKLON. 

An  easy  task  !  The  rearguard  shall  be  his  ; 
And  when  the  army  marches  into  France, 
The  guard  will  stay  behind  to  keep  the  pass  — 
And  then  thou  surely  knowest  what  to  do  ! 

MARSII,H. 
And  wilt  thou  swear  that  this  shall  happen  thus  ? 

GANBIX>N. 

Upon  my  sword  and  all  its  sacred  relics, 
I  swear  that  this  shall  happen  as  I  said. 

MARSILB. 
[  To  his  attendants  ] 


42 


Bring  me  the  sacred  book. 

[  They  bring  it  to  him  ] 

Upon  this  book, 

The  holy  laws  of  great  Mahound  the  prophet, 
I  swear  that  I  will  strive  with  this  proud  knight 
Beneath  the  mountain  walls  until  he  dies. 

[  Jurfaleu  whispers  to  Marsile,  who  nods  his  head,  and 
approaches  Ganelon  with  a  splendid  sword  ] 


Sir  Ganelon,  I  bring  thee  proof  to  show 
The  prince  is  no  less  grateful  than  the  king. 
This  sword  is  thine,  my  own  bright  studded  sword, 
If  thou  wilt  put  Count  Roland  in  our  power. 

GANBLON. 

With  such  a  gift  as  this,  I  could  not  choose 
But  act  as  you  desire. 

[  Valdabrun  approaches  with  a  helmet  ] 

VAI,DABIIUN. 

Sir  Ganelon, 

Wilt  thou  accept  this  helm,  the  best  in  Spain  ? 
'Tis  small  return  for  all  that  thou  hast  done, 
But  I  must  give  thee  what  I  have,  to  show 
The  joy  thou  makest  me  to  feel  this  day. 


43 


GANKI<ON. 

[  receiving  it  ] 
I  shall  be  proud  to  wear  it  in  the  fight. 

[  Bramimonde  comes  slou'ly  down  towards  Ganelon  ] 

BRAMIMONDB. 

Sir  Ganelon,  right  nobly  hast  thou  done  ; 

My  lord,  the  king,  will  give  thee  thy  reward  ; 

But  I  would  add  a  present  of  mine  own 

To  show  my  gratitude.     Two  bracelets  here 

I  have,  and  well  believe  there  are  none  such 

In  France.     Rich  heirlooms  were  they  of  proud  queens  ; 

See  how  the  jewels  gleam  against  the  gold  ! 

Take  them,  and  give  them  to  thy  wife  for  me. 

GANKIXW. 

[  with  feeling  ] 

Lady,  I  know  not  how  to  answer  thee  ; 
My  heart  is  running  over  with  thy  favor. 
Next  to  my  son  I  hold  my  wife  more  dear 
Than  all  the  world.     'Twill  give  me  deepest  joy 
To  see  her  decked  in  bracelets  such  as  these, 
And  for  her  sake  I  thank  thee.     Thou  hast  bound 
Me  to  my  promise  with  such  chains  of  love 
That  I  could  not  refuse  to  do  thy  will. 


44 


BRAMIMONDK. 

Thou  wilt  not  fail  us.     We  believe  in  thee, 

And  through  thee  may  our  country  find  sweet  peace. 

Come  nearer,  lords  and  barons  of  fair  Spain, 

JtfL 

And  swear  oath  to  me.     I  am  a  woman, 

^ 

But  for  my  country's  cause  I  do  not  fear 

To  look  upon  the  glint  of  naked  steel. 

Out  with  your  blades,  and  flash  them  up  to  heaven, 

And  swear  ye  will  be  true  at  Roncevaux, 

And  use  those  swords  like  men  till  they  are  red 

With  Prankish  blood.     Be  not  afraid  to  die 

Defending  Spain  !  Swear  this  for  me  ! 

KNIGHTS. 
[  With  uplifted  swords  ] 

We  swear ! 
Curtain. 


45 


ACT  IV 
SCENE  ONE 

The  Pass  at  Roncevaux.  Mountains  towering  in  the  back 
ground.  Rocks  on  all  sides.  ROLAND,  TURPIN,  GERARD,  and 
peers,  barons,  and  knights  assembled  at  the  rise  of  the  curtain . 

ROLAND. 
How  cam'st  thou  here,  Gerard  ? 

GKRARD. 

I  could  not  go 

And  leave  thee  here,  my  lord,  and  so  I  hid 
While  thou  wert  bidding  farewell  to  the  king. 
Nfy  place  is  in  the  rearguard  by  thy  side. 

ROLAND. 

Thou  art  brave- hearted,  lad.     Soon  we  shall  be 
In  sunny  France. 

OLIVER. 

[  Entering  quickly  ] 
O  Roland,  we're  undone  ! 


46 


ROLAND. 
Undone  ?    What  meanest  thou  ? 

OLIVER. 

The  paynims  come  ! 
From  yonder  rocky  knoll  I  saw  a  light 
Coming  from  Spain,  the  shining  of  the  sun 
On  polished  hauberks  and  bright  gleaming  helms, 
On  countless  shields  and  lances  tipped  with  fire. 
O  Roland,  all  too  well  I  recollect 
What  man  it  was  who  placed  us  in  the  rear. 
Thou  knowest  why  he  spoke  those  words  of  wrath 
When  he  was  sent  to  Saragossa.  Traitor  ! 

ROLAND. 

Silence  !  Thou  knowest  also  who  he  is  — 
My  mother's  husband  !  I  say  what  I  choose 
Concerning  him  ;  no  right  hast  thou  to  speak. 

OLIVER. 

Forgive  me,  but  my  anger  knows  no  bounds. 
Behold  us  here,  a  little  band,  while  there 
A  hundred  thousand  come  to  beat  us  down. 
Roland,  I  pray  thee  sound  thy  ivory  horn, 
That  Charles  may  hear  it  and  return  with  aid. 


47 


ROLAND. 

Nay,  here's  a  chance  to  win  bright  fame.     Wherefore 
I<et  slip  a  glorious  victory  ?  Alone 
We'll  beat  the  paynims  back  ;  aye,  by  my  sword, 
Which  shall  run  red  with  blood,  they  needs  must  die. 

OLIVER. 

Nay,  Roland,  be  persuaded,  and  be  wise  ; 
We  are  a  little  band  beside  that  host. 
If  Charles  should  only  hear  the  horn,  and  come 
To  stand  beside  us,  then  we'd  beat  them  back, 
And  keep  our  men  to  fight  for  Charles  again. 

ROLAND. 

I  will  not  blow  !  Shall  I  become  a  shame 
Throughout  all  France  because  I  summoned  aid 
To  fight  the  coward  paynims  ?  Durendal 
Shall  scatter  death  throughout  the  heathen  host. 

OLIVE*. 
No  shame  would  come  to  us.     Be  not  so  stubborn. 

ROLAND. 

I  tell  thee  I  will  fight  this  out  alone. 

Better  it  is  to  die  than  be  ashamed. 

Why,  man,  the  king  will  love  us  for  the  blows 


48 


We  deal  this  day.     If  he  were  here  with  us, 
We  should  not  have  such  fame. 

OWVKR. 

We  all  must  die. 
There  is  no  other  way  if  thou  refuse. 

ROLAND. 
I  never  heard  thee  speak  such  coward  words  ! 

OWVKR. 
Roland  ! 

TURPIN. 

Sir  Oliver,  and  thou  Sir  Roland, 
This  is  no  time  for  angry  words.     Thou  art 
In  the  wrong,  Count  Roland.     Better  would  it  be 
If  thou  shouldst  deign  to  sound  thy  ivory  horn. 

ROLAND. 

Nay,  Turpin,  ask  me  not.     My  mind  is  fixed. 
Up,  comrades,  there's  a  goodly  battle  toward. 
Gird  on  your  armor  ;  strive  with  mighty  blows 
As  loyal  liegemen  of  our  lord,  King  Charles. 
We  shall  send  paynim  souls  to  hell  this  day. 

[  They  prepare  to  fight.     Turpin  advances  ] 


49 


TURPIN. 

Barons  of  France,  since  we  must  fight  to-day, 

Be  brave  of  heart,  for  on  our  strength  depends 

The  glory  of  the  king.     No  better  way 

Is  there  to  win  a  place  in  Paradise 

Than  dying  for  your  king  and  for  your  God. 

Kneel  down  and  ask  forgiveness  for  your  sins. 

[  They  all  kneel,  and  he  raises  the  crossed  hilt  of  his  sword  ] 

Brave  Franks,  I  here  absolve  ye  ;  strive  like  men 

Against  the  paynim  swords,  and  if  your  own 

Can  quench  their  thirst  in  paynim  blood,   't  is  well. 

Right  nobly  strive,  and  with  your  sins  assoiled 

Ye  shall  find  entrance  at  the  gate  of  heaven. 

The  cause  of  Christ  is  ours  ;  we  cannot  fail. 

Rise,  Christian  knights,  armed  with  the  might  of  God, 

And  let  us  raise  the  battle-song  of  Charles. 

[  They  rise  and  sing  ] 

The  paynim  host  is  marching  nigh, 
Up  with  the  war-shcrat  to  the  sky  ; 
On,  on,  for  France  and  dare  to  die, 

Monjoie  !  For  God  and  Charles  ! 

We  fight  for  France,  we  cannot  yield  ; 
Up  with  the  swords  we  joy  to  wield  ; 
They  soon  shall  clash  on  paynim  shield. 
Monjoie  !  For  God  and  Charles  ! 


50 


Forward,  nor  fear  to  meet  the  foe, 
Right  onward  let  the  standards  go ; 
Our  God  shall  strike  the  paynim  low. 

Monjoie  !  For  God  and  Charles  ! 

Together  we  will  face  the  fight ; 
We  cannot  fail,  our  cause  is  right ; 
We  stand  acquitted  in  God's  sight. 

Monjoie  !  For  God  and  Charles  ! 

Curtain. 


51 


SCENE  TWO. 

Above  the  battle-field,  by  a  huge  rock,  beneath  a  pine. 
The  noise  of  battle  is  dying  away  as  the  curtain  rises,  and  be 
hind  the  scene  are  heard  three  blasts  on  ROLAND'S  magic  horn. 
He  staggers  in ,  wounded  to  death.  OLIVER  enters,  likewise 
wounded,  and  meeting  him,  strikes  blindly  at  him  with  his 
sword. 

OLIVER. 
Down,  paynim  dog.     Die  first  ;   I'll  follow  thee. 

ROLAND. 

Why  Oliver,  dost  know  me  not ;  't  is  Roland, 

Thy  trusted  comrade.     Wouldst  thou  strike  thy  friend? 

OLIVER. 

I  hear  thy  voice,  but  thee  I  cannot  see. 
Forgive  me,  Roland. 

ROLAND. 

Aye,  thou  didst  no  harm  ; 
Thou  hast  my  pardon  freely. 

[  They  embrace  each  other  ] 
52 


OLIVER. 

Ah,  my  friend, 
The  end  has  come.     Did  I  not  hear  thy  horn  ? 

ROLAND. 

Yea,  naught  was  left  to  do.     Charles  will  return, 
And  well  avenge  our  deaths. 

OLIVER. 

Thou  wouldst  not  blow 
When  I  besought  thee  ;  little  use  it  were 
To  blow  it  now,  for  all  our  men  are  dead. 
We  only  live,  and  soon  I  shall  be  gone. 

ROLAND. 
Nay,  Oliver ! 

OLIVER. 
Yea,  stretch  me  on  the  grass. 

[  Roland  stretches  him  out,  and  looks  around  for  something 
to  bring  water  in  ] 

OLIVER. 

No  use,  lad.     Trouble  not,  the  end  has  come. 

Thy  pride  has  brought  us  low,  and  Charles  our  liege 


53 


Will  win  no  further  conquests  by  our  aid. 

Never  again  shall  we  behold  sweet  France, 

Where  Aude,  my  sister,  will  be  left  alone, 

With  none  to  comfort  her.     Nay,  lad,  be  still, 

I  do  not  chide  thee.     Thou  hast  been  to  me 

A  truer  friend  than  ever  mortal  had. 

The  night  is  dark.     Where  are  we,  boy  ?  Hands  off  ! 

[  His  mind  wanders  ] 

I  am  a  peer  of  Charlemagne  ;  come  on, 
There's  light  enough  to  fight.     I'd  have  thee  learn 
To  speak  reproach  of  Roland,  and  still  live. 
Come  on,  I  see  thy  shadow  lurking  there. 
Strike,  coward  ! 

[  Roland  tries  to  hold  hitn  down  ] 

Blow  on  blow  I'll  answer  thee. 
Take  back  thy  taunting  words,  I  bring  thee  death. 

[  He  falls  back  exhausted  ] 
'Tis  done.     I  cannot  see.     Where  am  I,  lad  ? 

ROLAND. 

Here,  Oliver  ;  dost  know  me  not  ?     I  am 
Close  by  thy  side. 

OLIVER. 
Yea,  I  remember  now. 


54 


Thy  hand,  friend.  Clasp  me  close.  Farewell,  my  brother. 
Come  quickly  after. 

ROLAND. 

Stay,  dear  Oliver. 

Oh,  art  thou  dead,  dear  friend,  and  I  yet  live? 
L,ong  years  we  two  have  stood  together,  true 
Each  to  the  other.     Now  thou  liest  dead, 
Who  wast  the  noblest  knight  of  Charlemagne, 
And  I  am  left  alone.     'T  will  not  be  long. 
On,  on,  dear  Oliver,  I  follow  thee. 

[  Roland  swoons.     GERARD  enters  and  sinks  on  his  knees 
beside  him  ] 

GERARD. 

Sir  Roland  !  Dear  Sir  Roland,  answer  me. 
Awake  ;  it  is  Gerard  who  speaks  to  thee. 
No  one  is  left  alive  ;  I  am  afraid. 
Good  count,  awake  and  speak  to  me.     I  fear 
To  die  here  all  alone.     There  was  a  man, 
A  paynim,  struck  me  here. 

[  He  takes  hold  of  his  neck  and  shoulder  ] 

I  cannot  breathe, 

It  hurts  me  so.     O  Roland,  art  thou  gone? 
Hast  left  me  all  alone  in  this  wild  place  ? 
Speak,  lord  ;  I  am  afraid  of  my  own  voice. 


55 


If  thou  art  dead,  I  have  not  kept  my  word, 
The  word  I  swore  to  Lady  Aude  the  Fair. 
Ah,  lady,  thou  wilt  wait  to  greet  thy  lord, 
And  he  will  never  come.     Sweet,  sunny  France 
L,ies  far  away,  but  I  can  see  thee,  lady  - 
I  see  thee  in  the  garden  with  the  flowers. 
I  would  that  I  could  sing  for  thee  once  more. 

[  He  trifs  to  sing  ] 

A  sunbeam  lights  her  hazel  eyes, 

And  strays  across  her  gold-brown  hair. 

[  The  effort  chokes  him,  and  ht'  siezes  his  throat  ] 

Oh,  the  sharp  pain  has  come  again.     Good  sir, 
Awake  and  hear.     I  cannot  die  alone. 

[  He  falls  and  dies.     Roland  arouses,  and  sees  him  ] 

ROLAND. 

Thou  too,  Gerard  !     This  was  no  place  for  thee. 
I  would  thou  hadst  remained  in  sunny  France, 
For  thou  wert  all  too  tender  for  the  war. 
Brave-hearted  lad  !  I  mourn  to  see  thee  dead. 

[  He  takes  up  his  sword,  and  struggles  to  his  feet  ] 

The  time  has  come  when  I  must  part  with  thee, 
My  Durendal.     I  cannot  leave  thee  here 
For  paynim  hand  to  wield,  and  yet  I  must. 
Nay,  I  would  rather  see  thee  broken  quite, 


56 


Than  have  a  coward  hold  thee  in  his  hand. 
It  breaks  my  heart  to  break  thee,  Durendal, 
And  yet  I  must. 

[  He  tries  to  break  it  on  the  rock,  but  it  only  bends  and 
springs  back  unharmed  ] 

Alas,  thou  art  too  good  ! 
Never  again  amidst  the  battle's  roar 
Shall  thou  and  I  together  smite  the  foe  ! 
How  bright  thou  shinest !  Ah,  my  eyes  grow  dim, 
And  soon  I  shall  not  see  thee,  Durendal  ! 
Well  I  remember  when  I  first  won  thee, 
And  how  the  king  gave  thee  into  my  hands 
One  bright  and  happy  morning  long  ago, 
And  made  me  knight.     Ah,  what  a  life  we've  lived, 
My  sword  and  I ;  how  many  battle-fields 
Ran  red  with  blood  ;  how  many  lands  we've  won 
From  Italy  to  England — all  the  plains 
Of  Flanders,  Brittany,  and  Aquitaine, 
Romagna,  Lombardy,  Maine,  and  Poitou  ! 
With  thee  I  won  the  hills  of  gay  Provence, 
And  conquered  all  the  realm  of  Saxony  ; 
And  now  amidst  the  crags  of  Roncevaux 
We  part  at  last. 

[  Far  on  the  wind  is  borne  the  sound  of  the  horns  of  Charlemagne. 
Roland  draws  himself  erect  and  listens  ] 

The  horns  of  Charles,  my  king. 
Here  shall  he  find  me  with  my  face  toward  Spain. 


57 


[  He  places  himself  at  the  foot  of  the  pine  ] 

For  once  I  swore  before  him  that  if  e'er 

I  had  to  die  afar,  amidst  strange  peoples, 

My  face  should  turn,  unconquered,  toward  the  foe. 

[  He  places  his  sword  and  horn  beside  him  ] 

Lie  there,  my  horn  ;  lie  there,  my  Durendal. 
And  thou,  dear,  sunny  land  of  France,  farewell. 
O  God,  the  time  has  come  for  me  to  die. 
Forgive  me  all  the  wrongs  which  I  have  done 
Through  all  my  life,  and  save  my  soul  from  hell. 

[  With  his  right  hand  he  holds  up  his  glove  to  God  as  a  sign 
of  surrender  ] 

Receive  me,  unafraid,  to  Paradise. 

[  His  arm  falls,  and  his  head  sins  upon  his  breast.  The 
horns  of  Charlemagne  are  heard  again,  still  far  away,  as  the 
curtain  falls  ] 


58 


ACT  V 

Aude's  chamber  at  Aix,  a  few  months  later.  Her  maid 
ens  are  spinning  and  weaving  as  the  curtain  rises,  A  chair, 
slightly  raised  above  the  rest,  is  vacant.  MARIE  enters  run 
ning. 

MARIE. 

Oh,  woe  to  us  !  Unhappy  maids  are  we  ! 

Too  true  was  the  report.     The  king  has  come, 

And  all  his  knights  were  killed  at  Roncevaux. 

[  The  maidens  all  start  up  and  cry  out  ] 

A  MAIDEN. 
Ah,  who  will  tell  our  lady  ? 

ANOTHER  MAIDEN. 

She  will  die 

If  she  is  told  the  truth.     How  she  has  pined 
These  weary  months  of  waiting,  thinking  only 
Of  this  day  when  the  army  should  return  ! 
And  now,  what  shall  we  do  ? 

MARIE. 

The  king  himself 


59 


Is  coming  here  to  break  the  news  to  her. 
We  must  not  show  her  that  the  tale  is  sad , 
Until  the  king  has  come. 

A  MAIDEN. 

Tell  us  the  news. 

How  was  it  that  the  slaughter  was  so  great, 
And  yet  we  were  victorious  in  Spain  ? 

MARIB. 

'T  was  Ganelon  betrayed  his  stepson,  for 

He  had  him  left  behind  at  Roncevaux, 

And  told  the  paynims  they  would  find  him  there. 

Full  bitterly  he'll  pay  the  penalty  ! 

They  say  he  must  be  torn  to  death.     The  king 

Heard  Roland's  horn  and  hasted  back  again 

Too  late  to  save  his  nephew  and  the  peers, 

But  well  revenged  himself  upon  the  paynims, 

And  carries  captive  those  he  did  not  kill, 

With  Bramimonde,  the  wife  of  King  Marsile. 

Grievously  mourns  the  king  for  those  he  loved. 

A  MAIDEN. 
Hush,  is  not  that  our  lady  coming  near? 

[Allaresilentand  working.  Suddenly  through  the  win 
dow  at  the  back  comes  the  sound  of  the  nuns  chanting  in  the 
chapel  hard  by  for  the  souls  of  the  dead.  AUDR  enters  quietly 
at  the  back,  and  stands  by  the  window  listening  intently  ] 


60 


Father  in  heaven  we  pray  thee, 
Grant  to  these  souls  thy  pardon, 
And  to  Thyself  receive  them, 

Through  Jesus  Christ,  our  I^ord. 

All  those  who  died  in  battle, 
Martyrs  for  Christ  and  country, 
Take  them,  we  pray,  to  heaven, 

Through  Jesus  Christ,  our  I^ord. 

[  Aude  shudders  and  crosses  herself.  She  walks  slowly  down 
among  the  maidens ',  commending  their  work  ] 

AUDE. 

That  is  well  done.     Not  so  much  haste,  my  dear ; 
The  skein  is  tangled. 

[  She  helps  to  straighten  it  out  ] 

There,   't  is  all  right  now. 
[  She  seats  herself  on  the  raised  chair  ] 

Marie,  the  king  has  come  ;  I  heard  but  now 
The  noise  of  his  return,  and  yet  my  lord 
Still  lingers.     Oh,  I  am  afraid. 

[  She  breaks  down  ] 

The  nuns 
Are  chanting  for  the  dead. 

[  Clutching  her  heart  ] 

I  cannot  breathe. 


61 


Last  night  I  had  a  dream  —  I  tremble  yet, 
It  was  so  terrible  !  I  had  a  falcon 
Upon  my  wrist,  and  let  it  fly  toward  heaven  ; 
An  eagle  swooped  and  beat  it  back  to  earth  ; 
There  at  my  feet  it  fluttered  and  was  torn 
To  pieces,  and  I  could  not  lift  a  hand. 
Oh,  what  can  it  portend  ? 

[  Sobbing  ] 

Marie,  Marie, 
I  cannot  wait  to  hear  ! 

[  She  star  Is  up.     Marie  takes  her  and  comforts  her  ] 

MARIB. 

Dear  Lady  Aude, 

Be  calm  !  Think  not  about  the  dream.     There,  there  ! 
'Twill  be  all  right.     The  waiting  is  soon  o'er. 

AUDB.  [  calming  herself  ] 

Why  dost  thou  look  so  strange  ?  Knowest  thou  aught  ? 
Answer  me  ;  knowest  thou  aught  of  Roland ,  girl  ? 
And  you,  my  maidens,  why  are  you  so  sad, 
And  with  averted  heads  bend  to  your  work  ? 
Marie!   'T  is  Lady  Aude  commands  !  Give  answer  ! 

MARIB. 
I  saw  the  king,  my  lady,  but  his  knights 


62 


Are  not  yet  here. 

AUDK. 
Knowest  thou  aught  of  them  ? 

MARIE. 
I  do  not  know,  that  is,  I  - 

AUDE. 

Answer  me  ! 

Marie,  Marie,  thou  knowest  something  ill  ! 
I  must  know  all ;  it  is  my  right  to  know. 

MARIE. 
Oh,  spare  me,  lady  ! 

AUDE. 

Oh,  what  shall  I  do  ! 

[  The  door  at  the  right  opens  quickly,  and  the  king  enters 
alone,  looking  old  and  careworn  ] 

AUDK. 
[  Flying  towards  him  ] 

Oh,  where  is  Roland,  Sire  ?  Why  comes  he  not  ? 
Tell  me  ! 


63 


[  She  sways  and  he  catches  her  ] 

CHARLES. 
[  Slowly  and  sadly  ] 

Thou  askest  me  of  one  whose  soul 
Has  fled  to  Paradise.     Bravely  he  fell ; 
We  cannot  wish  for  him  more  sweet  reward. 
Dear  girl,  take  heart ;  I'll  give  thee  my  own  son. 

AUDK. 
[  Faltering,  and  as  one  dazed  ] 

I  do  not  understand.     With  Roland  dead, 
I  care  no  more  to  live. 

[  She  catches  at  her  heart  ] 

Oh,  I  must  go  ! 
Oh,  take  me,  Holy  Mother,  to  thyself  ! 

[  She  dies  in  his  arms,  and  her  head  sinks  upon  his  shoulder. 
He  places  her  gently  upon  the  floor  and  kneels  beside  her,  chaf 
ing  her  hands  ] 

CHARLES. 

Dear  child,  dear  child,  take  courage.     It  is  hard, 
But  we  must  bear  it.     She  has  swooned.  Bring  water. 

[  After  a  pause  ] 
Alas,  it  is  no  use.     Our  Aude  is  dead. 


64 


[  Rising  sadly  ] 

God's  ways  are  kind.     Unto  himself  he  takes 
The  broken-hearted.     I  am  left  alone 
To  keep  the  realm,  with  all  my  brave  peers  dead  ; 
I  would  that  I,  too,  might  be  taken  hence 
And  be  at  rest,  but  I  must  wait  my  time. 

[  To  the  maidens  ] 

Lift  her,  and  bear  her  gently  to  the  chapel ; 
Beside  her  we  will  keep  the  watch  this  night. 

[  The  sound  of  the  nuns'  chanting  comes  in  through  the 
window  as  the  curtain  falls  ] 


65 


tvi       i  i    of  <:.>..-:•  UK. 
AT 


